NBA NewsFriday, Jan 23, 2026

The short-handed Denver Nuggets dethroned the Washington Wizards 107-97 to avoid its first three-game losing streak of the season on Thursday night. Nuggets’ Peyton Watson dropped a career-high 35 points, Jamal Murray added 24, while Jonas Valanciunas and Aaron Gordon contributed 16 points each. Valanciunas returned after missing 11 games due to a strained calf. […] The post Watson’s 35-point lifts short-handed Nuggets past Wizards 107-97 appeared first on TalkBasket.net .

Coby White scored 22 points, Josh Giddey added 21 off the bench, and Jalen Smith converted two clutch free throws late to lift the Chicago Bulls to a 120-115 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday night. Chicago overcame a 14-point, first-half deficit and also withstood a 13-0 run from Minnesota in the fourth quarter. After White's corner 3-pointer, Minnesota committed a pair of costly turnovers in the final minute.

LaMelo Ball returned to Charlotte's starting lineup and had 16 points, seven assists and six rebounds as the Hornets beat the Orlando Magic 124-97 on Thursday night. Ball, who a night earlier had one of the worst shooting performances of his career when he came off the bench as part of a plan to manage his minutes, went 6 for 12 from the field and 4 for 8 from 3-point distance against Orlando. Brandon Miller scored 20 points to lead Charlotte's balanced effort.

Shaedon Sharpe scored 24 points to lead the Portland Trail Blazers past the Atlanta Hawks 117-101 at Moda Center on Thursday. Jerami Grant added 16 points, and Rayan Rupert contributed 13 as Portland pulled away in the fourth quarter after holding an 88-87 lead entering the final frame. Jrue Holiday scored 12 points in his […] The post Sharpe scores 24 as Trail Blazers pull away from Hawks appeared first on TalkBasket.net .

With the Knicks finally at full strength, Jordan Clarkson’s playing time has disappeared.

De’Aaron Fox scored 31 points and Victor Wembanyama added 26 points and 13 rebounds as the San Antonio Spurs beat the Utah Jazz 126-109 at Delta Center on Thursday night. The victory improves San Antonio to 31-14, keeping them second in the Western Conference, while Utah falls to 15-30. Fox hit 10 of 13 from […] The post Spurs dominate Jazz behind Fox’s 31 and Wembanyama’s 26-point double-double appeared first on TalkBasket.net .

Luka Doncic spoke candidly after the Lakers’ 112-104 loss to the Clippers on Thursday, focusing on first-half struggles and the team’s eventual rally. “Yeah, we just got to be better in the first half,” Doncic said. “Last three games, I think our defense was excellent in the second half. We just got to translate that […] The post Luka Doncic on Lakers’ loss to Clippers: “We just got to be better in the first half” appeared first on TalkBasket.net .

Jake LaRavia credited preparation and confidence for his 21-point performance as the Lakers beat Memphis 128-121. “I got going pretty early… the ball was fine to me, especially in that first half, and I was just able to get going and stay aggressive,” LaRavia said. Maintaining confidence through shooting struggles has been key for LaRavia […] The post Jake LaRavia on scoring, defense, and team pride after Lakers defeat Grizzlies appeared first on TalkBasket.net .

Devin Booker poured in 33 points, including 20 in the first quarter, to lead the Phoenix Suns to a 129-102 win over the Sacramento Kings on Friday at Mortgage Matchup Center. Dillon Brooks added 18 points and Mark Williams finished with 15 points and nine rebounds as Phoenix built a commanding lead. Collin Gillespie and […] The post Booker scores 33 as Suns cruise past Kings appeared first on TalkBasket.net .

De’Aaron Fox scored 24 points to lead the San Antonio Spurs to a 123-113 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Friday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Wembanyama hyperextended his left knee in Wednesday’s win over New York and remains in San Antonio for treatment, with coach Mitch Johnson describing him as day-to-day. The Spurs have gone 10-3 […] The post Spurs hold off Pacers to win without Wembanyama appeared first on TalkBasket.net .

Kawhi Leonard credited aggressiveness and team trust after scoring 45 points, including 20 in the fourth quarter, to lead the Los Angeles Clippers to a 118-101 win over the Utah Jazz on Thursday night at Intuit Dome. The victory extended Los Angeles’ winning streak to a season-best six games. “Just kept being aggressive. Teammates wanted […] The post Kawhi Leonard reflects on dominant fourth quarter as Clippers extend winning streak to six appeared first on TalkBasket.net .

The Houston Rockets opened the new year with a dominant road performance, rolling past the Brooklyn Nets 120-96 on Thursday night at Barclays Center. The victory pushed Houston to 21-10 and marked its fourth consecutive win. The Rockets set the tone immediately, making their first seven shots and jumping out to a 16-5 lead. Brooklyn […] The post Rockets overwhelm Nets in Brooklyn as fast starts fuel fourth straight win appeared first on TalkBasket.net .